Medieval village house

spectacular views & adjacent garden

Overview

This property is located in a picturesque medieval village, itself an island amidst a sea of greenery and typical of those medieval Gascon villages for which the Gers is renowned.

Although there are no shops or commerces, the property is within a whisper of Lectoure, with its many eclectic shops and restaurants.

This old stone house offers sweeping views over the valley towards the south of Gascony, the views being one of the property’s most desirable features.

It boasts two entrances. One is found in  a narrow alleyway frequented only by locals, the other to the south, at the top of a stone staircase, beside an adorable miniature terrace: an unbeatable spot for evening (or lunchtime!) apéritifs while contemplating expanse of valley below.

The ground floor

Entering the sturdy front door adorned with its original heavy ironwork, we find ourselves in a spacious Gascon hallway which runs from front to back of the property, where a large table takes center stage for convivial family meals. If you are not yet familiar with the area, you will soon learn that the Gascon hallway being often the grandest space in the house, easily doubles up as a formal entertaining area. Dismiss all conventional ideas as to what a hallway should be used for. In Gascony, a hallway is an extra room.

To the left, we enter a warm and welcoming kitchen which is full of charm, with its glass-fronted cabinets and gleaming tile backsplashes, and is generously sized for dining and offers delicious views out to the landscape beyond.

The kitchen opens directly onto the main reception room, which is equally as bright, and cosy. This room is an invitation to relaxation, or reading, or for a pleasant nap on a hot summer day, where one can enjoy the warmth of the room in winter, and its refreshing coolness in summer; the property’s thick stone walls providing protection throughout the year.

The first floor

Ascend via a beautiful wooden staircase opening onto a large, light-filled landing, an ideal spot for a home office.

The first bedroom is bathed in southerly light, and enjoys the same lovely views of the valley. It has hardwood floors, lime-coated stone walls, exposed beams, and a fireplace.

The second bedroom, more spacious still, offers the same charm. From its window, one can see fields and woods in the distance, and the ancient medieval walls of the surrounding properties.

The bathroom is contemporary in style and features a shower, bathtub, double sink, and WC.

The second floor

A staircase worn by the passage of many footsteps over time, leads to the second floor. Nestled up here, we discover the perfect nook for a cozy reading corner, along with the third bedroom: a spacious cocoon under the roof where children will delight in creating a secret hideaway.

The garden

It’s small…non-adjacent (being a couple of steps away) but charming! Located right beside the main house, this area provides an extra outdoor room in the summer months.

A place to plant some flowers or veg. The ideal place for a summer dining table or barbecue. There is some vis à vis from the property above at the far end, but one section of the garden offers a private area for a table and chairs.

Nestled against a heavy dry-stone wall, it charms with its majestic prickly pear fig tree, vivid red photinia in spring, and the abundant whiteness of its snowball bushes.

A low-maintenance garden in a tranquil spot where you can contemplate under the starry skies of Gascony.